Vessel

ABSTRACT

A vessel for a vehicle may include a housing configured for connection with said vehicle and configured to receive a plurality of consumer items. The vessel may include a cover connected to the housing. The cover may include a closed position in which the cover restricts vehicle occupant access to the plurality of consumer items and/or may include an open position in which the cover permits vehicle driver access to the plurality of consumer items. A width of the housing may be less than or substantially equal to a distance between seats of said vehicle. A vessel may include a connecting member connected to the housing and configured to connect the housing with a center console of said vehicle. A vessel may include one or more lights disposed in the housing and configured to illuminate the plurality of consumer items.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/534,682, filed on Jul. 20, 2017, the disclosureof which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to vessels, including vesselsand storage containers that may be used in connection with vehicles,such as automobiles.

BACKGROUND

This background description is set forth below for the purpose ofproviding context only. Therefore, any aspect of this backgrounddescription, to the extent that it does not otherwise qualify as priorart, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art againstthe instant disclosure.

Storage space in vehicles may be limited or finite, and may be dictatedby built-in, fixed, and/or vehicle specific solutions.

Vehicles, such as taxis and other for-hire vehicles, often transportoccupants, such as drivers and/or passengers. Occupants may have a needor desire for one or more consumer items (e.g., food, beverages,electrical devices, paper products, cosmetics, etc.) that may nottypically be available in such vehicles.

Some containers that may store consumer items, such as vending machines,may have a limited number of slots or sections that may limit the numberor type of consumer items that can be stored. Vending machines and othercontainers may be relatively complex and involve springs or otheractuation devices to move items internally and that may requirecomplicated maintenance and/or resupplying processes.

There is a desire for solutions/options that minimize or eliminate oneor more challenges or shortcomings of vessels, vehicles, and/or vehicleseat assemblies. The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrateexamples of the present field and should not be taken as a disavowal ofscope.

SUMMARY

A vessel for a vehicle may include a housing that may be configured forconnection with said vehicle and configured to receive a plurality ofconsumer items. The vessel may include a cover connected to the housing.The cover may include a closed position in which the cover restrictsvehicle occupant (e.g., driver and/or passenger) access to the pluralityof consumer items and/or may include an open position in which the coverpermits vehicle driver access to the plurality of consumer items.Restricting vehicle occupant access may include preventing access by adriver and by passengers. In the open position of the cover, the covermay restrict vehicle passenger access to said plurality of consumeritems. The plurality of consumer items may include at least tendifferent consumer items, may include hundreds of consumer items, orgreater or fewer consumer items. A width of the housing may be less thanor substantially equal to a distance between seats of said vehicle. Avessel may include a connecting member connected to the housing andconfigured to connect the housing with a center console of said vehicle.A vessel may include one or more lights disposed in the housing andconfigured to illuminate the plurality of consumer items. A vessel mayinclude a light sensor. One or more lights may illuminate the pluralityof consumer items if an amount of light sensed by the light sensor isbelow a threshold and the one or more lights may not illuminate theplurality of consumer items if the amount of light sensed by the lightsensor is not below the threshold.

A housing of a vessel may include one or more charging ports. A vesselmay include a plurality of adjustable dividers disposed in the housing.An adjustable divider may be configured to divide the housing into aplurality of chambers or sections configured to receive one or more ofthe plurality of consumer items. At least one of the plurality ofadjustable dividers may be configured to engage a housing. An adjustabledivider may include a recess configured to at least partially receive aprotrusion of the housing. The protrusion of the housing may correspondto a mounting location of a connecting member. The housing may notinclude any springs. A width of the housing may be less than orsubstantially equal to a distance between seats of a vehicle, a heightof the housing may be less than the width of the housing, and/or alength of the housing may be greater than the width and the height ofthe housing. A housing may include a tapered end that may include asmaller height than a remainder of the housing. A vessel may include acircuit board, one or more charging ports, and/or one or more lightsthat may be disposed in the tapered end of the housing.

A vessel for a vehicle may include a housing that may be configured forconnection with said vehicle and may be configured to receive aplurality of consumer items. The vessel may include a cover connected tothe housing. The cover may include a closed position in which the coverrestricts vehicle occupant access to the plurality of consumer itemsand/or may include an open position in which the cover permits vehicledriver access to the plurality of consumer items. A vessel may include acircuit board connected to the housing and/or a wireless communicationdevice connected to the circuit board. A wireless communication devicemay be configured to provide wireless communication between the circuitboard and one or more remote and/or mobile electronic devices. The oneor more remote and/or mobile electronic devices may include a mobileelectronic device of an occupant of said vehicle. The one or more remoteand/or mobile electronic devices may include a mobile electronic deviceof a passenger of said vehicle, a mobile electronic device of a driverof said vehicle, and/or a remote computer server.

A vessel may include a first sensor configured to sense a position ofthe cover, a second sensor connected to the housing and configured tosense a position of the housing, a temperature sensor connected to thehousing configured to determine an internal temperature of the housing,and/or a camera connected to the housing and configured to obtain atleast one of images and video of the plurality of consumer items.

A seat assembly for a vehicle may include a first seat, a second seat, aconsole disposed at least partially between the first seat and thesecond seat, and/or a vessel connected to the console. The vessel mayinclude a housing that may be configured for connection with saidconsole and may be configured to receive a plurality of consumer items.The vessel may include a cover connected to the housing. The cover mayinclude a closed position in which the cover restricts vehicle occupantaccess to the plurality of consumer items and/or an open position inwhich the cover permits vehicle driver access to the plurality ofconsumer items. The vessel may be connected to rotate with a lid of theconsole. The housing may include a circuit board, one or more chargingports, and/or one or more lights.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and/oradvantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparentfrom reading the following description, and from reviewing theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 are perspective views generally illustrating embodiments ofvessels according to teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view generally illustrating anembodiment of a vessel according to teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a top view generally illustrating an embodiment of a vesselaccording to teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view generally illustrating an embodiment of a vesselaccording to teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a front view generally illustrating an embodiment of a vesselaccording to teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a rear view generally illustrating an embodiment of a vesselaccording to teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of avessel according to teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of avehicle seat assembly according to teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a side view generally illustrating an embodiment of a seatassembly according to teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method of utilizing avessel according to teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view generally illustrating an embodiment of avessel connected to a communication network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, examples of which are described herein and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. While the present disclosure will bedescribed in conjunction with embodiments and/or examples, it will beunderstood that they are not intended to limit the present disclosure tothese embodiments and/or examples. On the contrary, the presentdisclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, andequivalents.

In the embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, avessel 20 may include a housing 22 and/or a cover 24. A housing 22 mayinclude one or more walls, such as a first wall 30, a second wall 32, athird wall 34, a fourth wall 36, and/or a fifth wall 38. The first wall30 and the third wall 34 may be disposed in parallel with each other.The second wall 32 and the fourth wall 36 may be disposed in parallelwith each other and/or perpendicular to the first wall 30 and the thirdwall 34. The first wall 30, the second wall 32, the third wall 34,and/or the fourth wall 36 may be connected together to provide agenerally rectangular configuration. The fifth wall 38 may be connectedto and/or disposed perpendicular to the first wall 30, the second wall32, the third wall 34, and/or the fourth wall 36. The fifth wall 38 may,for example, be configured as a bottom or base wall of the housing 22.The first wall 30, the second wall 32, the third wall 34, the fourthwall 36, and/or the fifth wall 38 may cooperate to provide a chamber 40.While the vessel 20 is described and illustrated in connection with arectangular configuration, vessels 20 may include other configurations,such as a circular configuration, among others.

As shown in the embodiments, a housing 22 may include a length 22 l, awidth 22 w, and a height 22 h. A housing 22 may be utilized inconnection with a vehicle seat assembly 54 and/or may be configured tobe disposed at least partially between (e.g., laterally) seats 50 in avehicle 52 (see, e.g., FIG. 11). For example and without limitation, thewidth 22 w of the housing 22 may be about the same as or less than adistance D between vehicles seats 50, which may be about 12 inches, morethan 12 inches, and/or less than 12 inches. A height 22 h of the housing22 may be less than the width 22 w of the housing 22, and/or a length 22l of the housing 22 may be greater than the width 22 w and/or the height22 h of the housing 22.

In the embodiments, a housing 22 may include one or more taperedportions. For example, a first end 62 (e.g., a rear end) of the housing22 may include a tapered portion 60 that may taper from the top and/orfrom the bottom, which may include the first wall 30 and/or portions ofthe second wall 32 and the fourth wall 36 having smaller heights than aremainder of the housing 22 (e.g., smaller than other portions of thesecond wall 32 and fourth wall 36 and/or smaller than the third wall34). A housing 22 may include an overhang portion 64 that may extend(e.g., longitudinally outward) from the first wall 30.

In the embodiments, a housing 22 may include one or more of a variety ofmaterials. For example and without limitation, a housing 22 may includeplastic, rigid plastic, wire, rigid wire, wire mesh, fabric, foam,rubber, ceramic, metal, and/or polymers, among others.

A vessel 20 may include a cover 24 that may be pivotably connected to ahousing 22. The cover 24 may be selectively connected to the housing 22,such as via resting on top of the housing 22, being tethered to thehousing 22, and/or being hinged to the housing 22. A first end 70 of thecover 24 may be selectively connected to the housing 22 at or about thefirst end 62 of the housing 22. For example and without limitation, thehousing 22 may include one or more connectors 72 (e.g., clips) that maybe disposed at or about the overhang portion 64 and that may beconfigured for connection with corresponding features 74 (e.g.,apertures or recesses) of the cover 24. A second end 76 of the cover 24may be connected to the housing 22 via a flange 78 that may be at leastpartially integrated with the cover 24. The flange 78 may be releasablesuch that the flange 78 may snap into and out of engagement with thehousing 22. The flange 78 may include one or more protrusions or teeth78a that may be configured to engage (e.g., snap into and out ofengagement with) the housing 22 (see, e.g., FIG. 12). If all of theconnectors 72 are disconnected and the flange 78 is disconnected fromthe housing 22 (e.g., by a driver of a vehicle 52), the cover 24 may becompletely disconnected from the housing 22 (e.g., without any tools orkeys). The flange 78 may facilitate opening of the vessel 20 by a driverand/or the process of opening the cover 24 may not involve any tools orkeys. With some embodiments, the connectors 72 may permanently connectthe cover 24 to the housing.

A cover 24 may include one or more of a variety of shapes, sizes,configurations, and/or materials. For example, a cover 24 may include aclear material and/or an at least semitransparent material (e.g., arigid plastic), which may permit viewing of at least some of thecontents of the chamber 40 even when the cover 24 is in a closedposition. Additionally or alternatively, the cover 24 may include wire,rigid wire, wire mesh, fabric, foam, rubber, ceramic, metal,polycarbonate, and/or polymers, among others. For example and withoutlimitation, the cover 24 may include an opaque material that may atleast partially restrict viewing of the contents of the chamber 40. Thecover 24 may include an angled portion 80 that may correspond to and/orbe aligned with a tapered portion 60 of the housing 22. An angledportion 80 of the cover 24 and/or a tapered portion 60 of the housing 22may improve visibility of items 90 in the chamber 40. In embodiments,the vessel 20 may be relatively flat and/or may be tapered or angledaway from an occupant (e.g., toward a front of the vessel 20 and a frontof the vehicle 52).

A chamber 40 of a housing 22 may, for example and without limitation, beconfigured to receive one or more items 90, such as consumer items (see,e.g., FIG. 6). Consumer items may include one or more of a variety ofitems. For example and without limitation, consumer items may includefood products (e.g., snacks, chips, cookies, nuts, fruit, gum, etc.),electrical components (e.g., charging cables, batteries, adapters,etc.), paper products (e.g., tissues, wipes, diapers, etc.), writingutensils (pencils, pens, crayons, markers, etc.), beverages, cosmetics,and/or other items. A housing 22 may be configured to receive aplurality of different types of items 90 that may include differentshapes. For example and without limitation, a housing 22 may beconfigured to receive more than five types of items, more than ten typesof items, and/or a greater or lesser number of items. The items 90 maybe stacked, such as vertically, horizontally, or both horizontally andvertically. Some items 90 may be stacked vertically and some items 90may be stacked horizontally within the same housing 22.

A housing 22 may include one or more dividers 100 that may be configuredto separate the chamber 40 into a plurality of chambers or sections. Adivider 100 may extend from one side of the housing to another side ofthe housing (e.g., from the second wall 32 to the fourth wall 36 and/orfrom the first wall 30 to the third wall 34). A divider 100 may beadjustable and/or may be connected to a housing 22 in a plurality ofdifferent positions or orientations. A divider 100 may include, forexample and without limitation, at least semitransparent rigid plastic.The divider 100 could be connectable to one another to form an assembly.The housing 22 may include one or more grooves or channels 102 that maybe configured for engagement with (e.g., to at least partially receive)the divider(s) 100.

As generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and 7-12, a vessel 20 may includeone or more connecting portions or members 110 that may be configuredfor connecting a vessel 20 with another component or surface, such as avehicle 52. A connecting member 110 may include, for example and withoutlimitation, a strap that may be configured for connection with a centerconsole 112 of a vehicle 52. The connecting member 110 may include oneor more connectors (e.g., connectors 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d) thatmay connect the connecting member 110 with the housing 22 and/or mayconnect portions of the connecting member 110 together. A connector(e.g., connectors 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d) may include one or more ofa variety of shapes, sizes, configurations, and/or materials. Forexample and without limitation, a connector may include a clip and/or abuckle.

A housing 22 may include one or more external recessed portions 120 thatmay be configured for connection with a connecting member 110 and/or forreceiving at least a portion of a connector (e.g., connectors 114 a, 114b). An external recessed portion 120 may correspond to an internalprotrusion 122 of the housing 22. An external recessed portion 120and/or an internal protrusion 122 may correspond to a mounting locationof a connecting member 110. One or more dividers 100 may include arecess or recesses 124 that may be configured to at least partiallyreceive an internal protrusion 122. A connecting member 110 may include,for example and without limitation, flexible webbing. The connectingmember(s) 110 may extend around the center console 112 or a portionthereof (e.g., a lid 130 of the center console 112) to connect thehousing 22 to the center console 112. The connecting member(s) 110 maybe thin enough to permit the center console lid 130 to close and/orlatch. If a vessel 20 is connected to a lid 130 of a center console 112,the vessel 20 may rotate with the lid 130 of the center console 112 andthe inside of the center console 112 may remain accessible (e.g., to thedriver) even while the vessel 20 is connected. The connecting member(s)110 and/or the connectors (e.g., connectors 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d)may permit the vessel 20 to be connected to and/or disconnected from thecenter console 112 quickly and/or without any tools or keys.

In the embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 and 7, avessel 20 may include one or more circuits and/or circuit boards 140.Such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, and 10, a vessel20 may include one or more charging ports 142. Additionally oralternatively, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, avessel 20 may include one or more lights 144. The one or more circuitboards 140 may control operation of and/or the power provided to the oneor more charging ports 142 and/or the one or more lights 144. Thecircuit board(s) 140 may be disposed in and/or connected to an overhangportion 64 of the housing 22 and/or may, in an assembled configuration,only be visible from a bottom of the housing 22. A circuit board 140 mayinclude one or more light pipes 146 that may be configured to directlight from the light(s) 144 toward the chamber 40 and/or the chargingport(s) 142. A circuit board cover 140 a may be connected to a circuitboard 140 and/or may be configured to cover at least portion (e.g., abottom) of the circuit board 140.

In the embodiments, the one or more charging ports 142 may include oneor more of a variety of configurations. For example and withoutlimitation, a charging port 142 may include a 110 volt outlet, a 220volt outlet, a USB (universal serial bus) port, a Lightning connector(e.g., a cable connected to a circuit board 140 at a first end andhaving a Lightning connector at a second end), and/or a wirelesscharging pad or portion, among others. A charging port 142 may bedisposed at, about, and/or in an overhang portion 64 of the housing 22.Additionally or alternatively, a charging port 142 may be disposed at orabout a front end 150 of the vessel 20, such as for use by a driver. Theone or more charging ports 142 may be connected to the circuit board(s)140 and/or a power source. The one or more lights 144 may include, forexample and without limitation, LEDs (light emitting diodes) that mayinclude one or more of a variety of colors. The one or more lights 144may be configured to provide light to and/or illuminate the chamber 40of the housing 22 and/or at least some of the items 90 that may bedisposed in the chamber 40. The one or more lights 144 may be disposedat or about the first end 62 of the housing (e.g., at a top of the firstwall 30), the sides of the housing (e.g., the second wall 32, the fourthwall 36), the front end 150 of the housing 22 (e.g., the third wall 34),and/or the bottom of the housing 22 (e.g., the fifth wall 38).

A vessel 20 may be configured for connection with a power source, suchas a vehicle power source, a battery, a solar unit, a generator, and/orsome other power source. A vessel 20 may include a power cord 160 (see,e.g., FIGS. 2, 4, and 12) that may be connected, directly and/orindirectly, to one or more circuit boards 140, one or more chargingports 142, and/or one or more lights 144. The power cord 160 may beconfigured for connection with a power port of a vehicle 52, such as a12-volt port (e.g., for a vehicle cigarette lighter receptacle), a110-volt port, and/or a 220-volt port, among others. Additionally oralternatively, a vessel 20 may be configured for wireless chargingand/or may include a wireless power connection that may be configured toreceive and/or provide power. The housing 22 may include one or morecable retainers 162 that may be configured to retain portions of thepower cord 160 relative to the housing 22.

An embodiment of a method 200 of utilizing a vessel 20 is generallyillustrated in FIG. 13. A passenger of a vehicle 52 may view items 90 ina chamber 40 of a vessel 20 and may want to acquire one or more of theitems 90 (step 202). A passenger may submit an electronic request topurchase one or more of the items in a vessel 20 (step 204), such as viaan electronic device application or app on a mobile electronic device222 of the passenger (see, e.g., FIG. 14). A mobile electronic device(e.g., devices 222, 224) may include one or more of a variety ofdevices, such as, for example and without limitation, a smartphone, asmart watch, a tablet computer, and/or a laptop computer, among others.The request may include a unique code associated with the vessel 20. Therequest may be transmitted to a remote location, such as to a remotecomputer/server 220 that may process the request (e.g., check for aprofile of the passenger) (step 206). The remote computer server 220 maybe configured to communicate with a mobile electronic device 224 of thedriver. If the transaction is approved, such as by the remote computerserver 220 after approval of a credit or debit card or account, thecomputer server 220 may send a purchase confirmation to the mobileelectronic devices 222, 224 of the occupant and/or the driver (step208), which may indicate that the driver may retrieve the selecteditem(s) 90 from the vessel 20 and provide the item(s) 90 to thepassenger. In some circumstances, the driver may purchase one or moreitems 90 from a vessel 20 for personal use.

A cover 24 of a vessel 20 may selectively restrict access to a chamber40 of a housing 22. The cover 24 may be controlled by a system (such asa lock) that prevents entry to the vessel 20. In a closed position ofthe cover 24, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, 6, 8, 9, and10, the cover 24 may prevent access by all vehicle occupants, includinga driver and any passengers, to the chamber 40 and any items 90 therein.Items 90 in the chamber 40 may not be accessible in any other way. Forexample and without limitation, apart from access via opening or removalof the cover 24, a vessel 20 may not include any apertures or recesses(or other means) through which items 90 may be accessed or dispensed.

A cover 24 may include one or more open positions in which the cover 24may be partially or entirely open. An open position of a cover 24 mayinclude the cover 24 being removed, such as generally illustrated inFIG. 5, and/or may include the cover 24 being rotated open from thefront (e.g., if the flange 78 is disconnected and the cover 24 rotatesvia connectors 72), such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12. Inopen positions of the cover 24, the chamber 40 may be accessible by anoccupant, such as a driver. While the cover 24 is connected to thehousing 22, such as if the cover 24 is closed or is at least connectedvia the connectors 72, a passenger of a vehicle 52 may not be able toaccess the chamber 40 or any items 90 therein. The connectors 72 maylimit the movement (e.g., rotation) of the cover 24.

As generally illustrated in FIG. 14, a vessel 20 may be smart andinclude one or more sensors. For example and without limitation, a smartvessel may include a location sensor 230, a temperature sensor 232, acover position sensor 234, an acceleration sensor 236, a camera 238, alight sensor 240, and/or other sensors. A location sensor 230 may beconfigured to determine a position of the vessel 20 and may include aGPS (global positioning system) device. A temperature sensor 232 may beconnected to the housing 22 and may be configured to sense a temperatureof the housing 22, such as an internal temperature of the chamber 40. Acover position sensor 234 may be configured to determine a position ofthe cover 24, such as whether the cover 24 is closed, open, and/orsomewhere between closed and fully open. An acceleration sensor 236 maysense the acceleration and/or movement of the vessel 20. A camera 238may be configured to obtain images and/or video of the vessel 20, items90 in the vessel 20, and/or the environment of the vessel 20.

A light sensor 240 may be configured to sense an amount of light in achamber 40, which may be used in connection with controlling one or morelights 144. For example and without limitation, one or more lights 144may illuminate items 90 in a chamber 40 if the amount of light in thechamber 40 is below a threshold and/or may not illuminate items 90 ifthe amount of light in the chamber 40 is at or above the threshold. Theone or more sensors may be connected (e.g., physically and/orelectrically) to the circuit board(s) 140.

As generally illustrated in FIG. 14, a vessel 20 may be configured tocommunicate with and/or may be part of a communication network 250. Avessel 20 may include and/or be connected to a wireless communicationdevice 252 (e.g., receiver, transmitter, transceiver, etc.). Thewireless communication device 252 may be configured to communicate viaone or more types of wireless networks, methods, and/or protocols (e.g.,Bluetooth, cellular, WAN or wide area network, dedicated short rangecommunication or DSRC, lower power wide area network or LPWAN, LoRa,LoRaWAN, and/or WiFi, among others). The wireless communication device252 may be configured to transmit information about the vessel 20 (e.g.,information from the one or more sensors) to a remote location, such asto a remote computer server 220.

A vessel 20 may be configured to communicate with a computer server 220,such as via the wireless communication device 252. The wirelesscommunication device 252 may send information (e.g., small packets ofdata) from the vessel 20 to the computer server 220. Information from avessel 20 may include information from one or more sensors, such as, alocation sensor 230, a temperature sensor 232, a cover position sensor234, an acceleration sensor 236, a camera 238, and/or a light sensor240, among others. The computer server 220 may be connected to and/orinclude a storage device 254. The information from the vessel 20 may bestored on the storage device 254. The computer server 220 may beconfigured to analyze the information from the vessel 20, which mayinclude determining certain performance metrics and actions and/orcomparing information from a plurality of vessels 20. The computerserver 220 may be configured to update firmware of a vessel 20 via thewireless communication device 252. With embodiments, wirelesscommunication device 252 may or may not be utilized in connection withan occupant purchasing items 90.

A vessel 20 may not include any springs, coil springs, metal springs,and/or may not include any actuation devices (e.g., motors, pistons,cylinders, etc.) configured to modify (e.g., automatically) the positionof items 90 in a housing 22. A vessel 20 may be configured to restrictand/or substantially prevent movement of items 90 that may be disposedin a chamber 40 at least when a cover 24 is in a closed position.

A circuit board (e.g., circuit board 140) and/or a computer server(e.g., the computer server) may include an electronic control unit orECU 260, 262 that may include an electronic controller and/or include anelectronic processor, such as a programmable microprocessor and/ormicrocontroller. In the embodiments, an ECU 260, 262 may include, forexample, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). An ECU 260,262 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and/or aninput/output (I/O) interface. An ECU 260, 262 may be configured toperform various functions, including those described in greater detailherein, with appropriate programming instructions and/or code embodiedin software, hardware, and/or other medium. An ECU 260, 262 may includea plurality of controllers. In embodiments, an ECU 260, 262 may beconnected to a display, such as a touchscreen display.

Various embodiments are described herein for various apparatuses,systems, and/or methods. Numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function,manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in thespecification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will beunderstood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodimentsmay be practiced without such specific details. In other instances,well-known operations, components, and elements have not been describedin detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in thespecification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand thatthe embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limitingexamples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structuraland functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do notnecessarily limit the scope of the embodiments.

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “withembodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “withembodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, inplaces throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures,or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics illustrated or described in connection with oneembodiment/example may be combined, in whole or in part, with thefeatures, structures, functions, and/or characteristics of one or moreother embodiments/examples without limitation given that suchcombination is not illogical or non-functional. Moreover, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scopethereof.

It should be understood that references to a single element are notnecessarily so limited and may include one or more of such element. Anydirectional references (e.g., plus, minus, upper, lower, upward,downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below,vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used foridentification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the presentdisclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to theposition, orientation, or use of embodiments.

Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like)are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members betweena connection of elements and relative movement between elements. Assuch, joinder references do not necessarily imply that two elements aredirectly connected/coupled and in fixed relation to each other. The useof “e.g.” in the specification is to be construed broadly and is used toprovide non-limiting examples of embodiments of the disclosure, and thedisclosure is not limited to such examples. Uses of “and” and “or” areto be construed broadly (e.g., to be treated as “and/or”). For exampleand without limitation, uses of “and” do not necessarily require allelements or features listed, and uses of “or” are intended to beinclusive unless such a construction would be illogical.

It is intended that all matter contained in the above description orshown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrativeonly and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be madewithout departing from the present disclosure.

It should be understood that an electronic control unit (ECU) and/or aprocessor as described herein may include a conventional processingapparatus known in the art, which may be capable of executingpreprogrammed instructions stored in an associated memory, allperforming in accordance with the functionality described herein. To theextent that the methods described herein are embodied in software, theresulting software can be stored in an associated memory and can alsoconstitute means for performing such methods. Such a system or processormay further be of the type having both ROM, RAM, a combination ofnon-volatile and volatile (modifiable) memory so that any software maybe stored and yet allow storage and processing of dynamically produceddata and/or signals.

It should be further understood that an article of manufacture inaccordance with this disclosure may include a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having a computer program encodedthereon for implementing logic and other functionality described herein.The computer program may include code to perform one or more of themethods disclosed herein. Such embodiments may be configured to executeone or more processors, multiple processors that are integrated into asingle system or are distributed over and connected together through acommunications network, and/or where the network may be wired orwireless. Code for implementing one or more of the features described inconnection with one or more embodiments may, when executed by aprocessor, cause a plurality of transistors to change from a first stateto a second state. A specific pattern of change (e.g., which transistorschange state and which transistors do not), may be dictated, at leastpartially, by the logic and/or code.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A vessel assembly for use in a vehicle comprising:a support member locatable in a vehicle; a housing connectable to thesupport member, the housing having a plurality of compartments forreceiving a least one consumer product; a connect system that isoperable to connect the housing to the support member that is locatedwithin the vehicle, the connect system including at least one memberthat is adjustable and permits the housing to be secured relative to thesupport member; and a closure member having a clear portion forpermitting a consumer to see inside the housing for viewing consumerproducts, a portion that connects to a surface of the housing to aid inopening the closure member relative to the housing, and a portion thatengages the housing to aid in keeping the closure member in a closedposition to restrict access to said plurality of compartments.
 22. Thevessel assembly of claim 21, wherein the support member is a console.23. The vessel assembly of claim 21, wherein the housing is rectangleshaped, the housing includes at least one recess for receiving theportion of the closure member that aids in keeping the closure memberclosed to restrict access.
 24. The vessel assembly of claim 21, furthercomprising a light to illuminate at least one compartment.
 25. Thevessel assembly of claim 21, wherein the closure member is positionableto an open position to permit access to at least one compartment, and ispositionable to a closed position to restrict access to at least onecompartment.
 26. The vessel assembly of claim 21, further including atleast one charging port.
 27. The vessel assembly of claim 21, furtherincluding a plurality of dividers configured to divide the housing intoa plurality of chambers configured to receive at least one consumerproduct.
 28. A vessel comprising: a housing including a bottom, firstside wall, a second side wall, an end wall, and a front wall, said wallsdefine an open area, the housing being configured to be connected to avehicle; and a cover surrounding the open area of the housing, the coverhaving a pivot end and a latch end, the pivot end having a first portionfor connecting to the housing, the latch end including an outwardlyextending member for engaging the end wall of the hosing.
 29. The vesselof claim 28, further comprising a release mechanism for releasablyconnecting the housing to a structure in a vehicle.
 30. The vessel ofclaim 28, further comprising a second portion for connecting the coverto the housing, said first and second portions permit the cover to pivotabout said portions, the first and second portions further permit thecover to pivot from an open position to a closed position.
 31. Thevessel of claim 28, wherein the cover is made of clear material topermit a consumer to view a product that located within the housing. 32.The vessel of claim 28, wherein the cover includes a downwardlyextending contoured portion for mating with a contoured portion of thehousing.
 33. The vessel of claim 28, wherein the pivot end of the coveris operable to pivot relative to the front wall of the housing.
 34. Thevessel of claim 28, wherein the cover is positionable to restrict accessto consumer products that are located within the housing.
 35. The vesselof claim 28, further comprising at least one of a power supply, chargingport, a USB port, a location sensor, a temperature sensor, a proximitysensor, a light, a camera, a wireless device, an electronic controlunit.
 36. The vessel of claim 28, further comprising a light that isoperable to provide illumination of a product that may be present in thehousing.
 37. A method for a vessel, comprising: providing a housingconfigured for connection to a vehicle structure, the housing configuredto receive a plurality of consumer products for an occupant of avehicle; providing a cover connected to the housing, the cover operableto be advanced to a closed position in which the cover restricts vehicleoccupant access to said plurality of consumer products, the coverfurther is operable to be advanced to an open position in which thecover permits access to said plurality of consumer products; providing acircuit board relative to the housing, the circuit board accommodatingat least one of a light, a USB port, a charging port, a camera; andproviding a wireless communication device, the communication device isin communication with the circuit board and is configured to providewireless communication between the circuit board and one or more remoteor mobile electronic devices; wherein when the occupant of the vehicleviews a product in the housing, the occupant may submit a request viathe electronic device, the request is processed, and a confirmation issent to at least one of the occupant or driver of the vehicle.
 38. Themethod of claim 37, further comprising providing a storage device thatis operable to store requests that are made by the occupant of thevehicle.
 39. The method of claim 37, further comprising providing aserver, the wireless communication device is operable to sendinformation from the circuit board to the server, said informationincluding at least one of information from a location sensor,temperature sensor, cover position sensor, acceleration sensor, lightsensor, or a camera.
 40. The method of claim 37, further comprisingproviding a mechanism for connecting the vessel to a vehicle.